Abstract

We are excited to introduce a new series led by the Wharton Executive Education Alumni Club, featuring esteemed professors who have authored books that are shaping contemporary thought in business and leadership. This series will debut with an impactful event, spotlighting Professor Michael Useem, William and Jacalyn Egan Professor Emeritus of Management; Faculty Director, Center for Leadership and McNulty Leadership Program, Wharton School, co-author of Resolute Japan: The Leaders Forging a Corporate Resurgence.

This groundbreaking book, written alongside Professor Jusuke J. J. Ikegami, Professor and Dean of Waseda Business School in Japan and Professor Harbir Singh, Mack Professor; Professor of Management; Co-Director, Mack Institute for Innovation Management; Wharton School Faculty Director for the Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business, The Wharton School, uncovers how Japan’s leading corporations have embraced a fresh leadership model, driving remarkable corporate transformation. Through insights gained from over 100 CEOs and top executives of iconic companies such as Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Panasonic, Resolute Japan illustrates how these firms have innovatively balanced short-term success with long-term growth, all while aligning shareholder value with social responsibility.

Join Professor Michael Useem as he dives deep into the strategies that have reinvigorated Japan’s corporate sector. Drawing from extensive interviews with the country’s top executives, Professor Useem will examine how the new leadership model has enabled Japan’s leading firms to remain agile, resilient, and competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy. This virtual fireside chat will explore the core principles of Japan’s resurgence, including balancing innovation with tradition, shareholder value with societal well-being, and short-term performance with sustainable growth. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these leadership strategies can be applied to businesses around the world, addressing challenges similar to those faced by Japanese corporations.